Catching Forever (BlackPath MC Book 2) (14 page)

      Devil

  I didn’t get much sleep last night. All I could think about was Callie a few doors down. I wanted to go to her, but I know that would be a bad idea.

It’s hard for me to keep my hands off her. I don’t know how I thought I would ever be able to walk away from Callie and our child. It’s never happening and seeing her ripe with my baby is driving me crazy. I don’t want her out of my reach.

I hear Chief busy in the kitchen and I might as well get on with my day. I take care of my morning routine in thirty minutes and wander to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. There at the table Callie sits with a glass of juice. Chief and mom are busy cooking and I take the chair next to Callie. There has been something I need to talk to her about.

“I’m glad Dra said yes about being the godfather for Kellan. We need to decide soon about the female.”  It was the best decision, but I need to thank him personally.

“He was honored. I’m glad you two can get along for this.” She looks at her watch and back to me. “He should be calling soon.” Apparently he does that regularly.

“Do you have anyone in mind for Godmother?” I couldn’t think of a woman and if we pick one of Callie’s friends over the other they may get their feelings hurt.

“No it doesn’t have to be a woman. It’s up to who you want.” Mom lets us know.

“What about Felix? If we pick Sarah or Hanna, there will be an argument.” Callie is shaking her head in an affirmative way. Felix is a good person and he’s very close to Callie.

“You’re right. Are you sure you don’t have someone else?” Callie is trying to be considerate, but I like Felix. He will be a great uncle for our son. Callie can’t keep the excitement off her face.

“Yes, he is sure. What Callie, you trying to knock me out of my spot?” Felix is up and he likes the idea of him getting the job.

“No silly. I think you’re perfect. I just want to make sure I play fairly. If he has a friend to use, also.” Callie is trying to make Felix feel better.

“Settled then, Dra and Felix. We’ll let Dra know as soon as he calls who the other person is.” It’s a done deal in my head. My son will be protected and taken care of. About that time Callie’s phone goes off. She looks at it and smiles. “I need to thank Dra.”

“Were your ears burning? Let me put you on speaker phone. Devil wants to tell you something. I love you, too, and can’t wait for you to get here.” Callie puts the phone in the middle of the table. Chief and mom are bringing food out now.

‘Morning Dra.” My mom puts in. She genuinely likes Dra.

“Morning Kat. Is my girl behaving? I know you’ll keep her in line. Be sure she eats.” Dra addresses my mom.

  “She is and we are going to feed her in about ten minutes.” Mom loves Callie so she will make sure she takes care of herself.

“Good, now why am I on speaker phone?”  He is an impatient asshole this morning.

“I wanted to thank you for agreeing to be Kellan’s godfather. You are the best fit and I know you will protect him with your life. You and Felix.” Dra laughs.

“You mean no godmother? Well, I am honored. I will always protect him and put his best interests first.” I can tell he will. “Devil, I need you to promise me something though.”

“What do you need? Name it.” I am being honest. As long as he protects Kellan and Callie I would do anything.

“If anything ever happens to me, promise me, you will take care of Callie.” I look to Callie and I can see she is on edge now and not comfortable at all. “I mean it. She is with you. This is hard for me to say, but I am serious. I want your word. I want everyone’s word they’ll make sure it happens.”

“Baby, nothing is going to happen to you. You’re being silly.” Callie doesn’t like this conversation. She seems on edge. I see the worry in her eyes.

“I promise, Dra. I will take care of her.” I would anyway, but this cements it.

“Ok then. Callie I know you don’t want to think about this and we won’t anymore. It’s taken care of. You just promise me you will listen to him.” Dra is being persistent.

“Promise I will take orders from another man. Not likely.” Callie is being stubborn.

  “Callie Cheyenne Draven!” Dra is serious and you can tell in his tone. I wonder if something is going on.

Callie looks like someone stole her puppy. “Fine, I promise.” Now she’s pouting.

  “Ok. Settled. Does everyone understand? Babe, I love you. It’s for your protection. I have to go.” Callie grabs her phone and talks into it softly so no one can hear and then she disconnects and looks directly at me. “Ok Devil. Don’t let this go to your head. Dra just worries about his club ties now we’re married. He’s a worry wart.” He should be worried with the news I’ve been getting from Colorado. The marijuana growers want the Troubled Fathoms’ land. There’s a war brewing and I don’t want Callie and Kellan anywhere near it.

At least Dra and I have settled some of our differences. He trusts me with Callie and I trust him with Callie and Kellan. We’ll never be friends, because he has the woman I love, but we’ll co-exist.

Now to get on with our day.

       Callie

  My doctor’s appointment went off without a hitch. The twinges in my back, labor pains. I’m dilated to one centimeter already, so bedrest as much as possible.

Pictures done and proofs might be here before Kellan decides to make his appearance. Baby shower was a success. More stuff than I will ever use.

Now I’m laying here in my bed watching a movie with Devil and Fe. Have no idea what it is. My mind is on the conversation with Dra this morning. I am worried now. Dra has never let on about any worries before. But I knew. Maybe he is just being cautious. No, that’s not Dra. I need to talk to him and I look at the clock. It is after ten and he hasn’t called since this morning. Now I’m worried, I pick up my phone and call him. He picks up on the third ring and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Is everything ok? I love and miss you. You have me worried.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m busy with club business or I would have called. I love and miss you, too. Is Blake still there with you?” Dra has a strain to his voice. He’s really scaring me.

“Yes. He decided to stay the rest of the week.” Dra seems satisfied with that.

“Ok. Stay close to him or Devil or your dad. I love you to the moon and back. You are my life. I have to go. Night darling.” Then he was gone. He said he loved me to the moon and back. Tommy used to tell me that. I have a cold chill run up my back. I have a bad feeling and I try to call Dra back but there is no answer. I will get no rest until I talk to him again. Devil grabs a hold of my foot and lightly shakes it.

“It’ll be ok.” He tries to reassure me. If we only knew that in the next twenty-four hours my life was going to drastically change.

I must have fallen asleep during the last of the movie. I look around and Fe is to my side and Devil is at my feet. Apparently we all fell asleep. I get up to go to pee. Something I do all during the night, and I see where Dra called me back. I am making my way to the bathroom and I feel a gush of warm water leave me and I am shocked. Oh crap. My water just broke.

“Devil!” I yell. He and Fe both jump up from the bed. I look at him. “My water just broke. I need to go to the hospital I think, or at least call the doctor.” Devil is in full panic mode with Fe right there with him. They run into each other and knock heads. I start laughing and more water comes out. I finally move towards the bathroom. I go inside and then I go back and grab some clothes. I throw some dirty towels over the mess on the floor. Devil has gone to get his mom and Fe probably my dad. I step into the bathroom and strip down and step into a warm shower just to rinse off. I hear a knock on the door. I towel off and quickly dress. I take the precaution of putting some pads on just in case. I step out to the very pale faces of Devil, Fe, Dad, Uncle Blake, and Kat. Apparently either Ty left or they left him asleep.

“Are you sure your water broke? It’s still early.” Kat ask.

“Well, considering I’m still leaking a little, it’s a safe assumption. I need my phone so I can call my doctor and then Dra.” Dad is trying to help me.

“Doc said come to the hospital. I tried Dra and got no answer. I called his dad and Betsy. No answer.” That’s strange. Gram always answers her phone. Dad will get back in touch with them. I just need the hospital right now. It is chaos here so I do what I do best. Take control.

“Fe get my hospital bag by the closet door and call Sarah and Hanna. Dad can you get the SUV out front? Devil grab the bag in the kitchen to take, and Kat can you stay with me and make sure they don’t run off and leave me? Uncle Blake, please, keep trying Dra. Can you bring your SUV also? Kat you may want to call Kim. I am going to try and call people on the way to the hospital. Let’s move people.” They scatter. By the time I finally make it to the living room everyone is getting things done. We all make it safely to the vehicles and now it’s just a quick ride to the hospital. I am having labor pains about every fifteen minutes. I have been timing them. I know everyone else is too frazzled. Aren’t I the one that should be freaking out? I have to say I am nervous, and I wish Dra was here, but a sort of calm has come over me. I know I will get to hold my son soon and that’s all I want to focus on. 

We make it to the hospital in record time. I’ve contacted Diamondback, Kelsey, Uncle Trent, and Chelsea. Still can’t reach anyone in Colorado and I am beginning to worry. Dra would just not answer. I know something is wrong. As soon as I am in for an examine they admit me. I am dilated to a four centimeters. I am here until Kellan makes his appearance.

We are still waiting for a birthing suite when they finally let Devil back with me. He is being supportive. My pains are more than annoying now. Devil is trying to get me to breathe the way I learned in Lamaze, but all I can think about is Dra. I finally decide to try and rest for a while. I’ll try to nap before these pains get too intense. I turn to my side and I see Dra walk into the room. I am so relieved. He comes and sits beside me on my bed. He hasn’t looked at me yet.

“What’s wrong, Dra? Why won’t you look at me? I was so scared you weren’t going to make it.” I take his hand and he brings it up to his lips and kisses it.

“I love you, babe. I will always love. You are my world. All I can say is I will miss you and I will be waiting on you. Take care and remember what you promised me.” He stands up. I’m reaching for him. I don’t understand. What is he saying? Then he is gone. He didn’t go out the door but he is gone. I yell out his name.

“Dra. Please Dra.” I’m crying. Then I feel my arm being rubbed.

“Callie wake up sweetie. You’re dreaming.” I open my eyes and I see my dad standing over me. Kat and Devil are standing at the end of my bed. Fe and Uncle Blake are over by the window on the couch.

I feel loss. I am filled with it. I remember back to when I lost my brother. This is that feeling. All of a sudden I have another labor pain hit me. I have tears streaming down my face but not from the physical pain. I know something is wrong with Dra and I need to help him. Dad is holding my hand through the labor pain and the monitor shows it has subsided.

“Baby, the pain should be gone. Have you changed your mind, do you need an epidural? It’s ok if you need it. A lot of women go that route.” Dad thinks I am crying because of the pain.

“Dad, you or Uncle Blake have to contact Dra or his dad. Something is wrong in Colorado. I saw Dra in my sleep. Something is wrong. He was telling me good-bye. It was like with Tommy. Please dad. Something is wrong, he needs help.” Dad and Uncle Blake both flip open their phones and walk out the door.

Devil, Kat, and Fe surround my bed. Devil takes my hand and climbs in the bed beside me. “It was probably just a dream, babe. Do you want pain medication?” I do not want to be patronized. I know something is wrong.

“No drugs. I don’t want my child coming into this world with anything in its system. I know it is safe, but we have discussed this. As long as I can take it, no drugs.” I look at Devil and Kat. They have both tried to talk me out of this

  Dad sticks his head back in the door about the time another pain hits me. I breathe through it and try to concentrate on the other techniques I learned in that class. It still freaking doesn’t feel too good. As soon as the pain subsides my dad turns to Devil.

“Can we speak to you out here for a minute?” That’s it, something is definitely wrong. I hear other voices in the hall and I recognize one as Diamondback and the other as Mase’s. Devil gets up and makes his way out of the door.

“Can you help me up?” I ask Kat innocently. “I need to go pee, again.” I know this will assure her help. She helps me undo all the wires and get everything situated and then instead of heading into the little bathroom I go to the door and out into the hall where I see a large congregation of men.

Diamondback, Mason, Cru London, Dad, Devil, Ty, Jeb, and both my Uncles Blake and Trent are all standing whispering. They all turn and look at me.

“Why the hell aren’t you in that bed?” Devil ask me.

“Because some assholes think they can keep shit from me about my husband just because I am in labor!” About that time my body is racked with a pain like I have never felt. I bend over and hold my belly. I am breathing the way I was taught but shit this hurts. “Mother sucking biscuits!”

All of a sudden all of the guys are laughing. I give them a death glare. The wicked witch of the west would be proud of that glare. I did not mean to say that out loud. This pain is lasting longer and seems more intense. Then I feel a familiar hand on my back.

“Are you ok Callie?” It’s Mase and he looks like he just wished he could take my pain. As soon as the pain lets up some I stand straighter. I take his hand in mine and give it a squeeze.

“I’m ok Mase. Just hurts like the dickens.” I smile at him and in this minute he looks like my old Mase with longer hair. Yep, he needs a haircut.

I look at the men, “Tell me what is going on with Dra. I want to know now or I won’t go back in.” Dad and Devil smile at me. That just infuriates me. “What the hell is so funny?”

“Well daughter, I understand you want to know about Dra and we are looking into it, but you won’t have a choice about going back in, because Baby Girl, this baby is coming. You can’t change that.” Dad is just so smug.

“Now get your ass back in that bed until our son is born. If I know Dra, he will be the first to tell you to do just that.” I know Devil is right, but I need Dra. I know something is wrong. I don’t give them the satisfaction of a response. I turn and walk back in trying to keep the back of my gown shut so I don’t moon everyone. I go to the bed and lay down and look at Kat.

“Will you hook me back up? They gave me nothing.” Kat has a sympathetic look on her face. But she does as I ask.

Devil walks back in the room with Steel, Stone and Kim behind him. I am trying to breathe through another pain. They are coming more frequent and they hurt a heck of a lot more. I know this is what happens, but I thought it would take more time. Dra was supposed to be here for the birth. I know something is wrong, but I have to concentrate on getting my son here.

I now notice I am not the only pregnant woman in this room. I look at Kim and I know. I am going to be a big sister. “Is that my brother or sister?” Kim smiles and rubs her hand over her stomach.

“Surprise! Everyone is finding out today.” I look at her incredulously. Shit is going to hit the fan.

“Dad doesn’t know? Are you serious? What did he say?” He is going to be pissed she hasn’t told him. She looks at least four months along.

“I haven’t seen him yet.” That’s strange. They were right outside the door.

“Aren’t they outside the door?” Surely my dad didn’t go far.

  Then I am hit by the hardest contraction yet. I am trying to remember what they told me about not tightening up. I am trying to relax but this shit hurts. Devil looks like someone is poking him with a hot poker. He’s trying to comfort me but right now comfort is a stretch. I want Dra. Finally, the pain is letting up. I felt like I needed to push. Push now!

“Will someone get my dad?” Then it hits me again and I definitely need to push, so I hit my call button for my nurse. It takes her no time to get there and no wonder when Devil sticks his head out the door and yells for her. Stone goes in search of dad.

Everyone but Devil leaves me when the nurse examines me. It’s show time. I’m dilated to a ten and it is time for the doctor and time to push. Everything happens in a flurry. My pains are coming fast and are lasting, sometimes over lapping. I need to push like crazy. “I want my dad in here.”

They get my dad and the doctor arrives. My legs are put in stirrups and my son will be here soon.

Forty-six minutes later Kellan Thomas Steel is out and screaming. Eight pounds and six ounces of screaming baby. I have never been so happy in my life. When my doctor puts him on my chest I lose my heart. He is beautiful. I am amazed and completely in awe. Devil has tears streaming down his cheeks and I look at dad and so does he. Devil is kissing the side of my head and dad has his hand on top of my head and I feel happiness. I am so tired. I drift in and out of sleep while they clean me and my son up. When they are finally done I get to hold Kellan. He is perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes and a pretty pink color. Devil is standing beside the bed and I pat the bed beside me.  “What?”

  “Get in the bed beside us.” Devil does it and puts his arm around us. “Dad will you take pictures for me? Send one to my phone and Devil’s. Dra, too.” Then it hits me. Dra still has not been heard from.

“Well, look at the beautiful family. I am here to take the baby to the nursery. We have some things we need to do in there. Dad you can come along.” The nurse is addressing Devil. Devil looks like he doesn’t want to leave me.

“Go with Kellan. I will be fine. Your bracelet lets everyone know you’re with him. Don’t let him out of your sight.” Devil really looks torn, but finally gives in and follows the nurse out.

I look to dad and I know he is going to change my life forever by what he says next. I feel it all the way down to my bones. “Tell me dad. What did you find out when I had to send for you?” I see the pain in his eyes.

“We couldn’t get Dra on the phone because there was an explosion last night. Someone set a bomb at Betsy’s motel. In her living quarters.” No. Not Gram. That’s the reason Dra was not answering his phone. His club needs him right now. His family needs him.

“What do I need to do to help him? I know losing Gram will hurt him. I need to get to him Dad. I can fly.” I see Dad has more to say so I go silent. Waiting.